yuck
I have poison ivy again
sickening little blisters

my sister, brothers and I went to Catholic school for 8 years
mostly every year I was taught by nuns - the Sisters of Charity
speaking for myself, I found them to be kind and caring
and I really loved them
they have left a mark on me which I would like to feel has remained with me
when I think of grade school, I think of the nuns
I felt safe with them, and I knew I could trust them
it was a rude awakening for me when the next four years found me in public school
it didn't take long that first year to realize that (1) my Catholic schooling was greatly advanced, and
(2) no one cared if I did well or not
it was hard adjusting but I guess I did, but it wasn't easy

today at mass we were visited by a Missionary - a nun
as she spoke to the congregation about the peoples in other countries
my ♥ was taken back to grade school - to the nuns, and to the 'missions' which were a big thing to us then
she was soft spoken and a pleasure to listen to
you couldn't help but like her

when the mass was over and I spoke to the priest and a few other people
I was happy to find her in the vestibule
she let me give her a big hug.....which made me feel happy
her warmth came over me
and as I walked away from the church, I realized I was smiling....big smiling
I hope to carry this feeling with me all through the day, in all that I do
and maybe it will stay with me for the next several days

I know we can't go back and revisit our pasts
but we can be blessed with reminders of happy times
even when they were many, many years ago
I have been truly blessed
and I am so thankful

when you work........and Fridays roll around.......it is simply happiness
especially at quitting time
♥

snip snip

sick of the heat and humidity and how my hair was annoying me
I took things into my own hands (literally), grabbed my scissors
snipped....and snipped a little more
I like my hair style....but the sides were too long....and because my hair is lifeless....even with stuff in it
something had to be done
and I had to do it
and I did
and I'm happy
I don't feel tattered anymore   ♥

God provides for His faithful.

storms ripped through southeast Michigan last night

including my street

while I sat at the computer, with the house closed up - mostly

the rain came down

then there was a crash somewhere in the house

Sophie and I checked the first floor out - nothing

then I decided to go upstairs
wallah!  in the bathroom - forgot the window was open behind the toilet
and there on the white ceramic tile floor laid my yellow Hall pitcher.....unbroken....a very long distance from the toilet (it literally had to have flown that far)

even the ceramic tile remained unbroken (surprising because it doesn't take much for a crack to appear)

I was so thankful there was no damage   thank you, Jesus

returning to the computer, it wasn't long before the doorbell rang
Chris next door.....to inform me that a very large branch came down from one of my Silver Maples - came down ..... on my fence
a short distance from my new car

a slat of fence came out, the broken end of the branch lodged between the fence slats

but the slat did not break and will be able to be put back in place

that is, once the branch is cut up and carted off

blessings..........they happen all the time.....and they don't happen by chance.....they happen because it is a part of His plan

before leaving for work this morning - even though I was running late - I took pictures which will be posted later

it is nice to capture these moments on the digital....to remember them and remind me of all that I have to be thankful for             and I am very thankful

Plymouth Art Fair

SharonAmerican Bulldog

I believe in 'old souls'
I believe that I am one
while I am 'young at heart', the 'old soul' part of me has always been there
I think that explains why I have always longed for old homes, old gardens
they make me feel like I am kindred to them

each of us are made up of many things
for instance, I love many styles - probably based on the comfort it holds
but truly, I come alive when I walk into an old home and walk around an old garden

I remember many years ago visiting San Juan Capistrano
it was captivating
and to this day, I still feel happiness when I think of being there
in my living room is a beautifully-framed picture of San Juan Capistrano that I found antiquing many years ago
it is one of my favorite things
it is simple, it is beautiful....to me
you can't always capture 'a moment' but this piece does just that for me

today as I was looking at some blogs of homes and gardens, that 'feeling' came over me when I saw some old gardens, along with their old homes
ahhhhh........what a good feeling   ♥

a walk around the gardens

in the morning - when the blooms look their prettiest to me

Rudbeckia - a favoriteSucculentsBee Balm

the Sweet Peas insist on taking over the trellis that is for my purple Clematis

YarrowBell FlowerLiatris, just opening love 'the Grasses'Day LilyTrumpet VineHostastwo of the birdhouses have families - the one on the left has Sparrows, the blue one on the right has Wrens

Bee Balmsome stones by Becky

Trumpet Vinethe new brick paver walkway, compliments of Becky and Scott

Plume Poppies